Actinomyces israelii
Encyclopedia
Actinomyces israelii is a species of Actinomyces
.
Actinomycosis
is most frequently caused by Actinomyces israelii and is sometimes known as the "most misdiagnosed disease," as it is frequently confused with neoplasms. A. israelii is a normal colonizer of the vagina, colon, and mouth. Infection is established first by a breach of the mucosal barrier during various procedures (dental, GI), aspiration, or pathologies such as diverticulitis. The chronic phase of this disease is also known the "classic phase" because the acute, early phase is often missed by health care providers. This is characterized by slow contiguous growth that ignores tissue planes and forms a sinus tract that can spontaneously heal and recur, leading to a densely fibrotic lesion. This lesion is often characterized as "wooden." "Sulfur" granules form in a central purulence surrounded by neutrophils. This conglomeration of organisms is virtually diagnostic of Actinomyces israelii. Oral-cervicofacial disease is the most common form of actinomycosis. It is characterized by a painless "lumpy jaw." Lymphadenopathy is uncommon in this form of the disease. Another form of actinomycosis is thoracic disease, which is often misdiagnosed as a neoplasm, as it forms a mass that extends to the chest wall. It arises from aspiration of organisms from the oropharynx. Symptoms include chest pain, fever, and weight loss. Abdominal disease is another manifestation of actinomycosis. This can lead to a sinus tract that drains to the abdominal wall or the perianal area. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Actinomyces sp. have also been shown to infect the central nervous system in a dog "without history or evidence of previous trauma or other organ involvement." http://www.vetpathology.org/cgi/content/full/37/6/650
Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare but proven complication of intrauterine device. In extreme cases pelvic abscess might develop. Treatment of pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine device involves removal of device and antibiotic treatment .
or amoxicillin
for six to twelve months, as well as surgery if the disease is extensive.
Actinomyces
Actinomyces from Greek "actino" that means mucus and fungus, is a genus of the actinobacteria class of bacteria. They are all Gram-positive and are characterized by contiguous spread, suppurative and granulomatous inflammation, and formation of multiple abscesses and sinus tracts that may...
.
Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species such as Actinomyces israelii or A. gerencseriae. It can also be caused by Propionibacterium propionicus, and the condition is likely to be polymicrobial aerobic anaerobic infection.Actinomycosis occurs rarely in humans...
is most frequently caused by Actinomyces israelii and is sometimes known as the "most misdiagnosed disease," as it is frequently confused with neoplasms. A. israelii is a normal colonizer of the vagina, colon, and mouth. Infection is established first by a breach of the mucosal barrier during various procedures (dental, GI), aspiration, or pathologies such as diverticulitis. The chronic phase of this disease is also known the "classic phase" because the acute, early phase is often missed by health care providers. This is characterized by slow contiguous growth that ignores tissue planes and forms a sinus tract that can spontaneously heal and recur, leading to a densely fibrotic lesion. This lesion is often characterized as "wooden." "Sulfur" granules form in a central purulence surrounded by neutrophils. This conglomeration of organisms is virtually diagnostic of Actinomyces israelii. Oral-cervicofacial disease is the most common form of actinomycosis. It is characterized by a painless "lumpy jaw." Lymphadenopathy is uncommon in this form of the disease. Another form of actinomycosis is thoracic disease, which is often misdiagnosed as a neoplasm, as it forms a mass that extends to the chest wall. It arises from aspiration of organisms from the oropharynx. Symptoms include chest pain, fever, and weight loss. Abdominal disease is another manifestation of actinomycosis. This can lead to a sinus tract that drains to the abdominal wall or the perianal area. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Actinomyces sp. have also been shown to infect the central nervous system in a dog "without history or evidence of previous trauma or other organ involvement." http://www.vetpathology.org/cgi/content/full/37/6/650
Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare but proven complication of intrauterine device. In extreme cases pelvic abscess might develop. Treatment of pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine device involves removal of device and antibiotic treatment .
Treatment
Treatment for actinomycosis consists of antibiotics such as penicillinPenicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
or amoxicillin
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin , formerly amoxycillin , and abbreviated amox, is a moderate-spectrum, bacteriolytic, β-lactam antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. It is usually the drug of choice within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral...
for six to twelve months, as well as surgery if the disease is extensive.